Collapsible and expandable horticultural tray

ABSTRACT

The present invention, in different embodiments, discloses a horticultural tray and a method of use thereof. The horticultural tray includes first and second elongate portions having one or more receptacles for growing medium, and a foldable elongate portion between the first and second elongate portions. The foldable elongate portion has a central hinge and sloped side portions that slope downward and away from the central hinge toward the first and second elongate portions. The foldable elongate portion also has side hinges disposed between the foldable elongate portion and the first and second elongate portions. The horticultural tray may also have a first locking tab and a second locking tab configured so that the first locking tab fits securely inside the second locking tab when the horticultural tray is in a collapsed configuration.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/359,714, filed Jul. 8, 2016 withthe U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, which is hereby incorporated byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to horticultural standalone trays orsheets, which are insertable into a carrier tray or the like, andmethods for using horticultural trays to grow plants, the horticulturaltrays each having a plurality of rows of one or more receptacles(“cells”) configured to receive growing medium or a pot.

BACKGROUND

Presently, horticultural growers commonly use sheets, which areinsertable into a carrier tray or the like, having a plurality of cellsarranged in a plurality of rows. The rows are closely arranged so tomaximize the quantity of cells and rows within the tray. In practice,the cells are filled with a growing medium, such as soil or compost, forexample. This may be accomplished manually or by use of a machine. Thegrowing medium may be loose or in the form of a plug (a compactedgrowing medium). The cell rows are separated from one another to formsstrips of cells. This could be any combination of strips, such as singlerows or two rows attached depending on intended plant genetics andgrowing requirements. This separation may be performed before or afterthe growing medium has been placed into the cells, and is commonlyachieved by slicing or cutting the tray between adjacent cell rows.Seeds or plant cuttings are added to the growing medium within each cellbefore or after separation. Thereafter, the strips are spaced furtherapart to provide sufficient spacing between adjacent rows for propergrowth of the plants within the cells. Often the strips are placed andspaced out in a separate carrier tray, since the strips lack sufficientstructural integrity to permit proper handling. After a designatedgrowth period, the strips will then be consolidated (multiple carriertrays of strips become one carrier tray of strips) for the next phase ofproduction or shipment. Because the separation and even transportationof the strips requires additional processing and labor, which results inadditional costs, there is a need to reduce and even eliminate theseinefficiencies and defects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in different embodiments, comprises ahorticultural tray and a method of providing and using a horticulturaltray for growing plants.

In particular embodiments of the horticultural tray, the horticulturaltray comprises: a first elongate portion and a second elongate portioneach comprising one or more receptacles configured to receive and retainplant growing medium, each of the one or more receptacles extending froman opening arranged along a top side of the tray, each of thereceptacles extending depthwise away from the top side and toward abottom side of the tray; a foldable elongate portion disposed betweenthe first elongate portion and the second elongate portion, the foldableelongate portion comprising: a central hinge disposed along a centerlength of the foldable elongate portion; a first sloped side portiondisposed between the central hinge and the first elongate portion and asecond sloped side portion disposed between the central hinge and thesecond storage elongate portion, the first sloped side portion slopingdownward and away from the central hinge toward the first elongateportion and the second sloped side portion sloping downward and awayfrom the central hinge toward the second elongate portion; and, a firstside hinge disposed between the first elongate portion and the foldableelongate portion and a second side hinge disposed between the secondelongate portion and the foldable elongate portion, each of the firstside hinge and the second side hinge extending the substantial length ofthe foldable elongate portion, where the horticultural tray isconfigured to collapse from an expanded configuration where the foldableelongate portion is in an unfolded arrangement and to a collapsedconfiguration where the foldable elongate portion is in a foldedarrangement, a transverse extent of the foldable strip being greater inthe unfolded arrangement than in the folded arrangement.

In particular embodiments of the method, the method comprises: providinga horticultural tray, the horticultural tray comprising, a firstelongate portion and a second elongate portion each comprising one ormore receptacles configured to receive and retain plant growing medium,each of the one or more receptacles extending from an opening arrangedalong a top side of the tray, each of the receptacles extendingdepthwise away from the top side and toward a bottom side of the tray; afoldable elongate portion disposed between the first elongate portionand the second elongate portion, the foldable elongate portioncomprising: a central hinge disposed along a center length of thefoldable elongate portion; and, a first sloped side portion disposedbetween the central hinge and the first elongate portion and a secondsloped side portion disposed between the central hinge and the secondstorage receptacle strip, the first sloped side portion sloping downwardand away from the central hinge toward the first storage receptaclestrip and the second sloped side portion sloping downward and away fromthe central hinge toward the second storage receptacle strip; a firstside hinge disposed between the first elongate portion and the foldableelongate portion and a second side hinge disposed between the secondelongate portion and the foldable elongate portion, each of the firstside hinge and the second side hinge extending the substantial length ofthe foldable strip, where the horticultural tray is configured tocollapse from an expanded configuration where the foldable elongateportion is in an unfolded arrangement and to a collapsed configurationwhere the foldable elongate portion is in a folded arrangement, atransverse extent of the foldable strip being greater in the unfoldedarrangement than in the folded arrangement; in the expanded arrangement,filling the one or more receptacles with a growing medium to a desiredamount; and growing one or more plants within the one or morereceptacles.

These and other aspects of the present invention are illustrated morefully in the drawings and in the exemplary embodiments described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of a horticultural tray, in accordancewith one or more aspects of the invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a longitudinal cross-sectional side view of theembodiment of the horticultural tray of FIG. 1, in accordance with oneor more aspects of the invention;

FIG. 3 depicts a transverse cross-sectional side view of the embodimentof the horticultural tray of FIG. 1, in accordance with one or moreaspects of the invention;

FIG. 4 depicts a close-up view of a portion of the cross-sectional viewof FIG. 3, showing a part of a foldable elongate portion in detail inits unfolded configuration, in accordance with one or more aspects ofthe invention;

FIG. 5 depicts the foldable elongate portion of FIG. 4 in its collapsedor folded configuration, in accordance with one or more aspects of theinvention;

FIG. 6 depicts an alternative configuration of a part of a foldableelongate portion in detail in its unfolded configuration, in accordancewith one or more aspects of the invention;

FIG. 7 depicts the foldable elongate portion of FIG. 6 in its collapsedor folded configuration, in accordance with one or more aspects of theinvention;

FIG. 8 depicts a close-up view of a portion of a horticultural tray fromthe bottom of the tray, in accordance with another embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 9 depicts a cross-sectional view of part of the portion of thehorticultural tray of FIG. 8, in accordance with one or more aspects ofthe invention;

FIG. 10 depicts the view of the portion of the horticultural tray ofFIG. 8 viewed from the top of the tray, in accordance with one or moreaspects of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In general, a horticultural tray (which, as to the invention, refers toeach of a standalone tray or a sheet insertable into a carrier tray orthe like, unless specifically identified as one or the other) providesone or more elongate portions or “strips” that have rows of cells orreceptacles for receiving a growing medium, such as soil or compost.Commonly, plants may be started as seedlings or cuttings fromestablished plants in individual receptacles; as the plants begin togrow, the rows of receptacles must be separated to allow the plants moreroom to grow, and this is commonly accomplished by either cutting theelongate portions apart from one another, or by removing plants fromcertain rows and moving them into new pots or cells elsewhere. Thisprocess may be labor intensive. The elongate portions may have to bekept in a carrier tray if the strips lack structural strength to behandled individually or stand upright right unsupported during thegrowing process to allow even and healthy growth.

The present invention generally provides a horticultural tray withelongate portions or strips that have receptacles for holding growingmedium and plants, and a foldable elongate portion with a central hingethat allows for folding the horticultural tray into a collapsedarrangement. When collapsed, the tray may easily be shipped, with orwithout growing medium and/or plants in the receptacles, and plants maybe started in the tray while collapsed. When shipped, when the tray is astandalone tray, the tray includes sufficient structure to maintainstructural integrity during the handling thereof. In other words, as astandalone tray, the tray is configured for use without a separatecarrier tray. When the tray is an insert, for shipping, the tray isinserted into a carrier tray having sufficient structure for properhandling of the tray, as an insert. As plants are started or begin togrow, the foldable elongate portion may be unfolded into its expanded orunfolded arrangement, giving the plants the needed space to properlygrow. This eliminates the need to cut strips apart, move plants out oftheir growing receptacles, and the need for a carrier tray. The foldableelongate portion has sloped side portions that slope downward toward thereceptacles, so that as plants are watered from above, water that doesnot fall directly on the receptacles may be diverted by the slopedportions away from the central hinge and into the receptacles, allowingfor more efficient use of water. While the receptacles may be filledwith growing medium and/or seeds, seedlings, or cutting in the collapsedarrangement, in certain instances, the horticultural tray is at leastpartially filled with growing medium, such as by a soil machine, whilein an expanded arrangement. Because the foldable elongate portionincludes sloped side portions, any soil remaining between strips ofreceptacles in the expanded arrangement can be easily removed, such asby a brush, for example, since there are no recesses or depressionsimpeding removal thereof. In such instances, the tray remains in theexpanded arrangement for growing plants.

Embodiments of the present invention include a horticultural tray withfirst and second elongate portions (“elongate receptacle portions”) anda foldable elongate portion arranged between the first and secondelongate portions. It is appreciated that additional elongate portionsand foldable elongate portions may be included in any such horticulturaltray, where a pair of elongate portions each having one or morereceptacles are separated by a foldable elongate portion. The firstelongate portion and second elongate portion each have one or morereceptacles configured to receive and retain plant growing medium or apot. Each of the one or more receptacles extend from an opening arrangedalong a top side of the tray, and extending depthwise away from the topside and toward a bottom side of the tray. The tray can further bedescribed such that the openings of the receptacles are arranged in anelongate body of the elongate strip, the body having a thickness definedby opposing top and bottom sides of the body, such that each receptacleextends from the body and an opening arranged in the body. It can besaid, in certain instances, that if the receptacle openings are arrangedalong the top side, the receptacles are arranged along the bottom sideof the elongate body. It is appreciated that the receptacles andreceptacle openings may form any shape. It is also appreciated that theplurality of receptacles may be arranged in any manner along each of thefirst and second elongate portions. In certain embodiments, the one ormore receptacles are arranged in a single row extending in a lengthwisedirection along any first or second elongate portion, or the one or morereceptacles are arranged in a plurality of rows along any first orsecond elongate portion. Optionally, in certain instances, betweenadjacent receptacles, a common watering channel, forming a recess alongthe top side of the body, may be optionally used to direct water flowbetween the adjacent receptacles. In doing so, the common wateringchannel extends from one receptacle to another receptacle along the topside of the body. Additionally, or separately, for any of the first orsecond elongate portion, a portion of the body adjacent to anyreceptacle is sloped along the top side to form a sloped recess, wherethe sloped recess is sloped downward into the receptacle to a directwater flow into the receptacle that would otherwise remain standing onthe top side of the body. The sloped recess may at least partially orsubstantially bound one or more or all receptacles. The slope maycomprise any angle relative the top side, and may remain constant forvariable in the downward sloping direction or in any direction acrossthe body.

The foldable elongate portion has a central hinge disposed along acenter length of the foldable elongate portion. The central hingegenerally divides the foldable elongate portion into two side portions,which may or may not be equal halves of the foldable elongate portion.The foldable elongate portion has a thickness formed by opposing top andbottom sides, the top side being arranged along a top side of the tray,just as is the top side of the first and second elongate portions, andthe bottom side being arranged along a bottom side of the tray, just asis the bottom side of the first and second elongate portions. In certaininstances, the central hinge: is a region of reduced thickness;comprises one or more scores extending at least partially or fullythrough the thickness of the tray or tray body; comprises one or aplurality of expandable or bendable folds extending lengthwise along thecenter length of the foldable elongate portion; or any combinationthereof. It is appreciated that the central hinge may form of multiplehinges to form the central hinge.

It is appreciated that the region of reduced thickness may form a groovearranged along either or both opposing sides of the foldable elongateportion, the top and bottom sides of the foldable elongate portion. Inlieu of a single groove, a plurality of grooves may be provided, theplurality of grooves being spaced apart along the central length such asto form an array of grooves. It is also appreciated that regions ofreduced thickness may be wider than what would be commonly referred toas a groove. Regions of reduced thickness may be molded into the tray ormay be formed into the tray after molding and curing of the tray hasoccurred. In forming grooves after molding and curing of the tray, thegrooves may be formed by any known manner, such as by the application offorce to form a depression, the removal of material, or by slicingpartially through the thickness of the foldable elongate portion. Also,a region of reduced thickness may form a transition between differentcross-sectional features of the tray, the transition forming atransition between an area of greater cross-sectional modulus (such as astiffness modulus or bending modulus) to a location of lessercross-sectional modulus (such as a stiffness modulus or bendingmodulus), the hinge operating along the area of lesser cross-sectionalmodulus.

Generally, the central hinge is arranged above a top side of thehorticultural tray in the folded arrangement, opposite the bottom sideof the horticultural tray. In other words, as the foldable elongateportion folds, the central hinge moves upward above the tops side of thetray with the side portions of the foldable elongate portion. Inparticular variations, the first and second side portions are sloped toprovide a first sloped side portion disposed between the central hingeand the first elongate portion, and a second sloped side portiondisposed between the central hinge and the second elongate portion. Thefirst sloped side portion slopes downward and away from the centralhinge toward the first elongate portion, and the second sloped sideportion slopes downward and away from the central hinge toward thesecond elongate portion. It is appreciated that the slope of any slopedside portion may remain constant or is variable in the downward slopingdirection of along the length of the foldable elongate portion. When thehorticultural tray is in use for growing plants, the plants may bewatered and water that falls on the sloped portions may be divertedtoward the receptacles of the first and second elongate portions, alongwith any stray soil or other growing medium, thus conserving water andgrowing medium and keeping these materials away from the foldablecentral hinge. It is appreciated that for any first and second slopedside portion, the entire side portion does not need to be sloped, as aportion of each side portion may be sloped either partially orsubstantially. It is appreciated that, in certain embodiments, each ofthe first and second sloped side portion has a body akin to the body ofany first or second elongate portion along which the receptacles arearranged. A first side hinge is disposed between and separates the firstelongate portion and the foldable elongate portion and a second sidehinge is disposed between and separates the second elongate portion andthe foldable elongate portion. The first and second side hinges may takethe form of any hinge use to form the central hinge, and generallyextend the partial or substantial length of the foldable elongateportion. It is appreciated that each of the first and second side hingesmay be spaced apart from any or all of the receptacles arranged alongany first or second elongate portion, or may be arranged up to or inabutment with one or more of said receptacles. Likewise, it is alsoappreciated that each of the first and second side hinges may be spacedapart from an adjacent sloped side portion of a foldable elongateportion, or may be arranged up to or in abutment with any such adjacentsloped side portion. In certain instances, the first side hinge andsecond side hinge extend substantially parallel to the central hinge,but this may not be necessary as non-parallel arrangements arecontemplated.

The horticultural tray is thus configured to collapse from an expandedconfiguration where the foldable elongate portion is in an unfoldedarrangement and to a collapsed configuration where the foldable elongateportion is in a folded arrangement, where a transverse extent of thefoldable strip is greater in the unfolded arrangement than in the foldedarrangement.

The horticultural tray may also include a first locking tab extendingdownward below the first sloped side portion and a second locking tabextending upward above the second sloped side portion, so that the firstlocking tab is configured to securely fit inside the second locking tabwhen the at least one foldable strip is folded along the central hingeand the horticultural tray is in the collapsed configuration. The firstand second locking tabs can be described as mating pairs of tabs, whereon tab is insertable within the other tab and when inserted, resistsremoval due to the tight fit between the two tabs. The first and secondlocking tabs keep the tray in the collapsed configuration, and may bepulled apart or unlocked to expand the tray into the expanded orunfolded configuration. It is appreciated that additional first andsecond locking tabs may be employed to better maintain the foldableelongate portion in a folded configuration, recognizing that differentquantities of locking tabs may be employed depending on the shape, size,and type of tray. It is also appreciated that any pair of first andsecond locking tabs may form any desired shape and size. In particularinstances, the first and second locking tabs are arranged along the bodyof the respective first or second sloped side, although otherarrangements are contemplated. The horticultural tray may thus be usedboth in a collapsed configuration for shipping purposes and, in somecases, to protect plants within receptacles during shipment, where thefolded foldable elongate portion projects upward from the tray body toprotect the plants. In certain instances, the tray is arranged in theexpanded configuration initially for an entire growing period. In otherinstances, the tray is initially kept locked in the collapsedconfiguration as plants begin to grow, and then unlocked and expanded tomore easily allow spatial expansion for the plants as they grow. Afterthe plants have been removed and transplanted, the tray can be collapsedand locked again, ready to be re-used. It appreciated that a pluralityof trays may be connected during any stage of using the trays, such asduring any filling with growing medium, growing, or shipping. In certainembodiments, to facilitate attachment of at least one or two trays to aparticular tray, the trays include one or more first mating protrusionsarranged on one widthwise or lengthwise side of the tray and at leastone corresponding second mating recess arranged on the opposingwidthwise or lengthwise side of the tray, where a corresponding firstmating protrusion mates with a corresponding second mating recess ofanother tray, or vice versa, to permit the attachment of the other trayto the particular tray. It is appreciated that any two or more trays maybe attached at any time for any desired purpose.

In certain instances, the horticultural tray has a plurality of elongateportions with one receptacle or a plurality of receptacles arrangedalong each the elongate portions, and one foldable elongate portion or aplurality of foldable elongate portions arranged between adjacentelongate portions. For example, a horticultural tray may have threeelongate portions with receptacles, with two foldable elongate portionsdisposed between the three elongate portions. The horticultural tray mayalso be configured to be attached to another horticultural traydescribed herein in accordance with an embodiment of the invention,where at least one side of each tray has a sloped portion and hinge. Thehorticultural trays may be configured to attach via locking tabs, sothat when the trays are in collapsed configurations the locking tab ofone tray fits securely into the locking tab of the other tray. Inaddition to, or in the alternative to, using locking tabs in anyembodiment, the tray may also utilize other methods and mechanisms forkeeping the trays attached in collapsed configurations, such as, forexample, adhesive, staples, clips, hook and loop fasteners, such asVelcro® for example, double-sided tape, heat staking, and/or welds, suchas vibration welding, solvent welding, or heat welding.

The present invention, in another aspect, provides a method thatincludes providing a horticultural tray as generally described above,placing the tray in its expanded arrangement for receiving growingmedium, such as within a soil machine, for example, to fill thereceptacles with growing medium, filling the receptacles as desired withgrowing medium. If the tray is filled within a soil machine, debris,such as growing medium arranged along the expanded foldable elongateportion is removed, such as by brush, for example, and the tray is thenremoved from the horticultural tray from the soil machine. After placinga seed, seedling, or cutting into the growing medium within eachreceptacle, in the expanded configuration plants are grown. During thegrowing cycle, the plants are watered, and at least a portion of thewater dispensed onto the expanded foldable elongate portion is directedinto one or more of the receptacles, via the first or second sloped sideportions. Once the plants are grown to a desire maturity, the tray iscollapsed and the tray with plants shipped to a desired recipient forfurther processing. Other variations of such methods may be employed orpracticed as discussed and contemplated above in other embodiments.

Particular exemplary embodiments of the trays discussed above will nowbe discussed with reference to the drawings filed herewith.

With reference to an exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, ahorticultural tray 100 is shown in its expanded or unfoldedconfiguration. The horticultural tray 100 depicted has three elongateportions 110 (first, second, and third elongate portions) that includereceptacles 111 and two foldable elongate portions 115 disposed betweenthe three elongate portions 100; it may be understood that ahorticultural tray 100 may have any desired number of elongate portions110 and foldable elongate portions 115, and reference below willgenerally be to a first elongate portion 110, a second elongate portion110, and a foldable elongate portion 115 without loss of generality.First elongate portion 110 and second elongate portion 110 each includeone or more receptacles 111 arranged in a body 110B thereof configuredto receive and retain plant growing medium, such as soil, compost, andso on. The body 110B is depicted as a thin sheet-like portion of eachcorresponding elongate portion. Foldable elongate portion 115 has acentral hinge 150 disposed along a center length of the foldableelongate portion 115. Foldable elongate portion 115 also has a firstsloped side 120 and a second sloped side 125; first sloped side 120 isdisposed between central hinge 150 and the first elongate portion 110,and second sloped side 125 is disposed between central hinge 150 andsecond elongate portion 110. Foldable elongate portion 115 also has afirst locking tab 130 and a second locking tab 135, as further describedbelow in conjunction with FIG. 3.

FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional side view of the horticultural tray 100shown in FIG. 1, showing a longitudinal or lengthwise extension thereof.Receptacles 111 of elongate portion 110 extend from an opening arrangedalong a top side 112 of the tray of the body 110B, each of thereceptacles extending depthwise away from the top side 112 and toward abottom side 113 of the tray.

FIG. 3 depicts the embodiment of horticultural tray 100 shown in FIG. 1,showing a transverse or widthwise cross-section thereof. First slopedside portion 120 slopes downward and away from central hinge 150 towardsthe first elongate portion 110. Likewise, second sloped side portion 125slopes downward and away from central hinge 150 toward second elongateportion 110. First locking tab 130 extends below first sloped sideportion 120 and second locking tab 135 extends above second sloped sideportion 125.

FIG. 4 shows a close-up view of part of foldable elongate portion 115from FIG. 3 in its expanded or unfolded arrangement. In the embodimentshown in FIG. 4, central hinge 150 comprises a plurality of expandableor bendable folds arranged between first sloped side portion 120 andsecond sloped side portion 130. As FIG. 1 indicates, the plurality ofexpandable folds extend lengthwise along the center length of thefoldable elongate portion 115. A first side hinge 170 is arrangedbetween and separates first elongate portion 110 and foldable elongateportion 115 and a second side hinge 175 is arranged between andseparates a second elongate portion 110 and foldable elongate portion115. Each of the first and second side hinges 170, 175 extend thesubstantial length of the foldable elongate portion. One or both offirst side hinge 170 and second side hinge 175 comprise a region ofreduced thickness of the horticultural tray 100. In the example shown,the region of reduced thickness forms a depression or recess along alength of horticultural tray 100. In other examples, one or both offirst side hinge 170 and second side hinge 175 may form one or morescores, or cuts, extending at least partially along a length ofhorticultural tray 100. The one or more scores may comprise a pluralityof scores spaced apart along the length of the horticultural tray 100.Generally, first side hinge 170 and second side hinge 175 extendsubstantially parallel to central hinge 150.

FIG. 5 shows the close-up view of foldable elongate strip 115 of FIG. 4in its collapsed or folded arrangement. As FIG. 5 shows, central hinge150 is folded so it is arranged above the top side 112 of horticulturaltray 100, opposite bottom side 113 of the horticultural tray 100. Thefirst sloped side portion 120 and second sloped side portion 130 arecollapsed together as central hinge 150 and first and second side hinges170, 175 are folded, and first locking tab 130 is configured to securelyfit inside second locking tab 135 when the foldable elongate portion 115is folded along central hinge 150. First and second locking tabs 130,135 thus secure the horticultural tray 100 in its collapsed position forshipping purposes and to conserve space. When needed, the first andsecond locking tabs 130, 135 may be uncoupled and foldable elongateportion 115 unfolded to expand the horticultural tray 100 into itsunfolded configuration, as shown in FIGS. 1-4.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show an alternative embodiment of foldable elongateportion 115′ in which central hinge 150′, in one example, comprises aregion of reduced thickness. The region of reduced thickness of centralhinge 150′ forms a depression along a length of the horticultural tray100, similar to first side hinge 170′ or second side hinge 175′.Alternatively, central hinge 150′ may form one or more scores, or cuts,extending at least partially along a length of horticultural tray 100.The one or more scores may comprise a plurality of scores spaced apartalong the length of the horticultural tray 100, similar to first sidehinge 170′ or second side hinge 175′. In any case, when central hinge150′ is folded along with first and second side hinges 170′, 175′, firstlocking tab 130′ may fit securely inside second locking tab 135′ to keepthe horticultural tray 100 in its collapsed arrangement, as previouslydescribed.

With reference to FIG. 1 again, horticultural tray 100 may be configuredto be attached to another horticultural tray 100. At least one side ofeach horticultural tray 100 has a sloped portion 120, 125 at opposingtransverse sides of the tray, as described above, where sloped portions120, 125 facilitate diverting water toward receptacles 111 of elongateportions 110. Attaching may be accomplished, for instance, by lockingtabs similar to locking tabs 130, 135 as described above, in a collapsedconfiguration, although in other variations, the connection may be madein an expanded configuration. For example, at least one side ofhorticultural tray 100 may have a first locking tab extending below theat least one side, and at least one side of another horticultural tray100 may have a second locking tab extending above the at least one side.When the one horticultural tray 100 and the other horticultural tray arein a collapsed configuration, as described previously, the horticulturaltrays 100 may be attached via the first locking tab securely fittinginside the second locking tab. The horticultural trays may be attachedfor shipping purposes, or may be attached when growing several rows ofsimilar plants together in one location. The horticultural trays may beexpanded together and may be separated as desired.

FIG. 8 depicts a portion of the horticultural tray 100 in accordancewith a particular embodiment, from a bottom view perspective, showingreceptacles 111 formed within body 110B of elongate portion 110. In thisembodiment, one or more common watering channels 114 forming recessesare formed within body 110B between adjacent receptacles 111. Commonwatering channels 114 permit water to flow from one receptacle 111 to anadjacent receptacle 111, allowing for water sharing between receptacles111 and helping to ensure that water does not accumulate in somereceptacles while other receptacles lack water. Additionally, body 110Bmay have a sloped recess 110C that at least partially surrounds orbounds one or more of receptacles 111. As FIG. 8 shows, sloped recess110C may substantially or almost entirely bound one or more ofreceptacles 111. As depicted in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 9,sloped recess 110C is sloped downward toward receptacles 111, similar tofirst sloped portion 120 and second sloped portion 125. It is furthershown in this embodiment that the sloped recess 110C extends around aplurality of receptacles 111. During watering of one or more plants inreceptacles 111, sloped recess 110C, similar to first sloped portion 120and second sloped portion 125, diverts water falling on body 110B intoreceptacles 111, which helps maximize efficient use of water andminimize water otherwise wasted.

FIG. 10 shows the portion of the horticultural tray 100 of FIG. 8 from atop view perspective, showing more clearly the common watering channels114 formed in body 110B that connect a pair of receptacles 111. As shownin the example of FIG. 10, two common watering channels 114 are disposedbetween each pair of adjacent receptacles 111; it may be readilyunderstood that in alternative examples there may be one common wateringchannel 114 between adjacent receptacles 111, or there may be more thantwo common watering channels 114 between adjacent receptacles 111. Itmay be readily understood as well that horticultural trays 100, inalternative embodiments, may lack common watering channels 114 and/ormay lack sloped recess 110C formed in body 110B.

The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” as used in the claimsand specification herein, shall be considered as indicating an opengroup that may include other elements not specified. The terms “a,”“an,” and the singular forms of words shall be taken to include theplural form of the same words, such that the terms mean that one or moreof something is provided. The terms “at least one” and “one or more” areused interchangeably. The term “single” shall be used to indicate thatone and only one of something is intended. Similarly, other specificinteger values, such as “two,” are used when a specific number of thingsis intended. The terms “preferably,” “preferred,” “prefer,”“optionally,” “may,” and similar terms are used to indicate that anitem, condition or step being referred to is an optional (i.e., notrequired) feature of the invention. Ranges that are described as being“between a and b” are inclusive of the values for “a” and “b” unlessotherwise specified.

While this invention has been described with reference to particularembodiments thereof, it shall be understood that such description is byway of illustration only and should not be construed as limiting thescope of the claimed invention. Accordingly, the scope and content ofthe invention are to be defined only by the terms of the followingclaims. Furthermore, it is understood that the features of any specificembodiment discussed herein may be combined with one or more features ofany one or more embodiments otherwise discussed or contemplated hereinunless otherwise stated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A horticultural tray comprising: a first elongateportion and a second elongate portion each comprising one or morereceptacles configured to receive and retain plant growing medium, eachof the one or more receptacles extending from an opening arranged alonga top side of the tray, each of the receptacles extending depthwise awayfrom the top side and toward a bottom side of the tray; a foldableelongate portion disposed between the first elongate portion and thesecond elongate portion, the foldable elongate portion comprising: acentral hinge disposed along a center length of the foldable elongateportion; a first sloped side portion disposed between the central hingeand the first elongate portion and a second sloped side portion disposedbetween the central hinge and the second storage elongate portion, thefirst sloped side portion sloping downward and away from the centralhinge toward the first elongate portion and the second sloped sideportion sloping downward and away from the central hinge toward thesecond elongate portion; and, a first side hinge disposed between thefirst elongate portion and the foldable elongate portion and a secondside hinge disposed between the second elongate portion and the foldableelongate portion, each of the first side hinge and the second side hingeextending the substantial length of the foldable elongate portion, wherethe horticultural tray is configured to collapse from an expandedconfiguration where the foldable elongate portion is in an unfoldedarrangement and to a collapsed configuration where the foldable elongateportion is in a folded arrangement, a transverse extent of the foldablestrip being greater in the unfolded arrangement than in the foldedarrangement.
 2. The horticultural tray of claim 1 further comprising afirst locking tab extending below the first sloped side portion and asecond locking tab extending above the second sloped side portion,wherein the first locking tab is configured to securely fit inside thesecond locking tab when the foldable elongate portion is folded alongthe central hinge.
 3. The horticultural tray of claim 1, where thecentral hinge is arranged above a top side of the horticultural tray inthe folded arrangement, opposite the bottom side of the horticulturaltray.
 4. The horticultural tray of claim 1, where at least one of thecentral hinge, the first side hinge, and the second side hinge comprisesa region of reduced thickness.
 5. The horticultural tray of claim 4,where the region of reduced thickness forms a depression along a lengthof the horticultural tray.
 6. The horticultural tray of claim 1, whereat least one of the central hinge, the first side hinge, and the secondside hinge forms one or more scores extending at least partially along alength of the horticultural tray.
 7. The horticultural tray of claim 6,where the one or more scores comprise a plurality of scores spaced apartalong the length of the horticultural tray.
 8. The horticultural tray ofclaim 1, wherein the central hinge comprises a plurality of expandablefolds arranged between the first and second sloped side portions andextending lengthwise along the center length of the foldable elongateportion.
 9. The horticultural tray of claim 1, wherein the first sidehinge and second side hinge extend substantially parallel to the centralhinge.
 10. The horticultural tray of claim 1, where the one or morereceptacles form a plurality of receptacles in each of the first andsecond elongate portions.
 11. The horticultural tray of claim 1, wherethe tray includes a plurality of foldable elongate portions and aplurality of storage receptacle elongate portions, the plurality offoldable elongate portions alternating with the plurality of storagereceptacle elongate portions.
 12. The horticultural tray of claim 1,where the horticultural tray is configured to be attached to anotherhorticultural tray, and where at least one side of each tray has asloped portion and hinge.
 13. The horticultural tray of claim 12, wherethe at least one side of the horticultural tray has a first locking tabextending below the at least one side of the horticultural tray, the atleast one side of the other horticultural tray has a second locking tabextending above the at least one side of the other horticultural tray,and wherein the horticultural tray and the other horticultural tray areconfigured to be attached when each horticultural tray is in a collapsedconfiguration via the first locking tab securely fitting inside thesecond locking tab.
 14. The horticultural tray of claim 1, where thetray is a standalone tray, configured for use and handling without acarrier tray.
 15. A method comprising: providing a horticultural tray,the horticultural tray comprising a first elongate portion and a secondelongate portion each comprising one or more receptacles configured toreceive and retain plant growing medium, each of the one or morereceptacles extending from an opening arranged along a top side of thetray, each of the receptacles extending depthwise away from the top sideand toward a bottom side of the tray; a foldable elongate portiondisposed between the first elongate portion and the second elongateportion, the foldable elongate portion comprising: a central hingedisposed along a center length of the foldable elongate portion; and, afirst sloped side portion disposed between the central hinge and thefirst elongate portion and a second sloped side portion disposed betweenthe central hinge and the second storage receptacle strip, the firstsloped side portion sloping downward and away from the central hingetoward the first storage receptacle strip and the second sloped sideportion sloping downward and away from the central hinge toward thesecond storage receptacle strip; a first side hinge disposed between thefirst elongate portion and the foldable elongate portion and a secondside hinge disposed between the second elongate portion and the foldableelongate portion, each of the first side hinge and the second side hingeextending the substantial length of the foldable strip, where thehorticultural tray is configured to collapse from an expandedconfiguration where the foldable elongate portion is in an unfoldedarrangement and to a collapsed configuration where the foldable elongateportion is in a folded arrangement, a transverse extent of the foldablestrip being greater in the unfolded arrangement than in the foldedarrangement; placing the horticultural tray in the expanded arrangementand filling the one or more receptacles with a growing medium to adesired amount; growing one or more plants within the one or morereceptacles while the tray is in the expanded arrangement.
 16. Themethod of claim 15 further comprising, during the step of growing one ormore plants, watering the one or more plants, where water is dispensedalong the top side of the horticultural tray, and where such water beingdispensed along the foldable elongate portion in the expandedarrangement directs, via the first or second sloped side portions, atleast a portion of the water being dispensed along the foldable elongateportion into the one or more receptacles.
 17. The method of claim 15further comprising removing debris from the foldable elongate portion inthe expanded arrangement.
 18. The method of claim 15, where the tray isa standalone tray, configured for use and handling without a carriertray.